Apparatus for cooling liquids.



No. 844,336. PATENTED PEB. 19, 1907. H. L. DOHERTY.

APPARATUS FOR COOLING LIQUIDS.

APPLICATION FILED 11150.13, 1904.

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APPARATUS POR GUOLING LIQUIDS.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 13, 1904.

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H. L. DOHERTY. APPARATUS FOR COOLING LIQUIDS.

APPLICATION FILED DBG. 13, 1904.

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HENRY L. DOHERTY, OF MADISON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGN OR TO THE IMPROVEDEQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF DENVER, COLORADO,.A

CORPORATION OF COLORADO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

. Patented Feb. 19, 1907.

Application filed December 13, 1904. Serial No. 236.700.

To {ir/ZZ whom, it may concern:

t Be it known that I, HENRY L. DOHERTY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Madison, in the county of Dane and State of Wisconsin, lhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Cooling Liquids, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the drawings accompanying and forming art of the same.

My invention, subject of t e present application, relates to apparatus for cooling liquid of the type in which the liquid is distributed over a large area or surface and exposed to the atmosphere, whereby the heat lost by evaporation and radiation from. the liquidy will be rapid and the temperature II'educed to a degree at least as low and in some instances even lower than that ofthe surrounding air.

Among the objects which Iseek to attain by my invention several of the more important may be mentioned as follows: first, to provide an apparatus of the kind referred to which shall distribute the water or other liquid to be cooled over a very large radiatingsurface second, to effect such distribution posed per unit area ofradiating-surface uniform throughout the apparatus; third, to provide a constant, uniform, and rapid circulation of air through the apparatus without the use of-artiiicial-draft devices fourth, to produce` such an apparatus which shall possess a very high efliciency and yet be inexpensive both as to materials and as to labor in constructing it.

In carrying out my invention I employ a I tower,77 constructed in any desired manner suitable for the purpose-as, for example, one of the well-known mill type of structure. The tower contains a number of oors, as many as may be necessary, composed of a large number of stringers, preferably arranged in series in consecutive parallel planes. Over these stringers are'stretched sheets or strips of fabric or other material. ,On the topmost iior is a system of distributi ing-conduits, from which the liquid to be` cooled is delivered upon the aforesaid sheets or strips with substantially perfect uniformity throughout the apparatus, so that all parts of the structure will be utilized to the best advantage. Spreading over the strips or sheets the liquidis exposed over a large area, and the loss of heat due to radiation and evaporation is therefore rapid. The apparatus being provided with suitable egress and ingress openings at top and bottom, the air therein, warmed by absorption of heat from the liquid, will rise, and. passing out at the top will permit cooler air to enter below, which in turn will bewarmed and caused to pass out of the apparatus. 'Ihe circulation thus produced will continue as long as the supply of warm liquid upon the exposure-sheets is kept u As the liquid spreads over the sheets it nally reaches the lower ends of the same, by which time it should have been reduced to at least the temperature of the outside atmosphere or lower. From the exposure-strips it falls into a suitable drain located below the same, from which it may be collected for utilization.

For further explanation of the invention reference may now be made to the accompanying drawings, .which show the preferred embodiment.

Figure 1 is a side elevation with part of the wall broken away to show the interior arrangement of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, showing the arrangement of the conduits for distributing the liquid to the exposure-sheets. Fig. 3 is a transverse central section of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of one ofthe supply-conduits,showing the arrangement for delivering liquid at a substantially constant head to the discharge-conduits. Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of the same with one side partly broken away. Fig. 6 is a detail cross-section of one of the discharge-conduits, showing exposure-strips connected thereto. Fig. 7 is a detail side elevation of the same with the exposure-strips omitted.

The structure consists, broadly, of any suitable framework having a number of stringers arranged in tiers or iioors. As the precise construction of the preferred form is important, from an economical standpoint, at least, it may be described somewhat in detail. The sides of the supporting-frame are composed of uprights-l, connected in pairs by transverse sills 2 and diagonal braces 3 3, the whole forming a series of cross-trusses of the desired strength and rigidity. The cross-trusses are connected by longitudinal sills 4 4.

Upon the supporting-frame just described IOO rests the structure which carries the cooling devices proper. In the preferred embodiment of the invention it consists of two side and one central series of uprights 5,A carrying longitudinal string-pieces 6 and upper sills 7. Transversely across the string-pieces and also the sills 4 are stringers 8 arranged in vertical series, as shown in Fig. 1. The whole of the tower above the supporting-frame is inclosed by suitablewalls, as shown at 8a, Fig. 1.

interwoven vertically through the stringers are strips or sheets 9 of porous material, as shownin Figs. 1 and 3, constituting the exposure-surface upon which the water is distributed. It will be understood that the tower is substantially filled with these strips of material, though only a portion thereof is shown in Fig. 1. i

` For the purpose of delivering the liquid u on the expe sure or radiation sheets I emp oy a system of conduits, which is preferably constructed as follows:

Located transversely across the structure and resting on the upper sills 7 is a V-shaped trough 10, into which the liquid to be distributed is discharged, as from a pipe 11, termi nating at about the center of the trough., as shown in Figs. 1,' 2,V and 3. At the ends of the trough and in communication therewith are longitudinal distributing-conduits 12 12, 'and extending inwardly from the latter are lateral conduits 13, registering with the stringers 8 and resting upon the upper sills 7. The lateral conduits are provided with dischar e-openings in their side walls, through whic the water to be cooled issues upon the dependin` strips 9. The distributing system may tbe protected by a casing 15 entirely open at the top, so as to offer no impediment to the fiow of air from the tower, and may be strengthened by longitudinal and transverse connecting strips or braces, (indicated by 12a and 12b,respectively.) The casing 15 constitutes, in effect, a continuation of the walls of the tower and serves to increase the natural draft.

From the foregoing the operation of the apparatus will be readily understood. The Aliquid discharged into the central trough is delivered to the longitudinal conduits 12, from whence it passes to the lateral conduits 13. From the latter it flows out upon the exposure-sheets 9. Spreading over the latter, both by gravity and capillary attraction, it parts with its lheat by evaporation and radiation into the air in the tower, which air, being thus warmed, rises vand passes out through the open top of the structure. The partial vacuum thus produced causes cooler air to enter through the open bottomto be in turn heated and discharged. A portion of the water in the sheets 9 will of course evaporate and pass out as vapor with the warm air; but the remainder will descend tothe bottom of the apparatus and drip olf the ldischarged directly upon the strips.

ceases cooling-strips upon the collecting-surface 16, from whence it runs into the drain 17 and is finally collected in the sump 18.

My invention also embraces a number of structural details which have been found to These I shall now proceed to charges into longitudinal conduits or sluices 12 12. The latter are of the same depth throughout, but are divided by diagonal partitions 19, extending from thetrough 1() and gradually approaching the outer walls of their conduits, as shown more clearly in Fig.. 2. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the partitions 19 are provided at intervals with vertical slits 20, through which the two divisions of the sluice are in communication. The operation of the sluices will now be clear. As the water flows through the outer division of a sluice it escapes into the inner division` through the slits 20, and its volume is thereby diminished. At the same time, however, the cross-section of the outer division isiconstantly growing less on account of the approach of the diagonal partition4 19 to the outer wall. Consequently the level or head of water in the outer division is the same throughout its length, and as theinner division is receiving water at uniform pressure from the same-sized openings located at regular intervals the head in that division is also uniform. In the inner walls of the inner divisions are slits 21, Figs, 2, 1, and 5, through which the liquid flows into the lateral conduits 13.' The walls of the latter are also slitted, 'as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, permitting y the water to be discharged upon the cooling sheets or strips 9, which, it will be remembered, are directly under the lateral conduits 13. The strips may, in fact, be secured to the projecting bottoms of the lateral conduits, as shown in Fig. 6, so that the liquid will be Since the head of water .delivered to the transverse channels 13 is the same in all, the liow therethrough is also uniform in all. These passages might also be made with decreasing cross-section, as by causing the walls thereof ICO to approach each other toward the center, so

as to make the head of liquid therein uniform throughout the length of each; but a simpler and for most purposes a satisfactory method is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The walls of each of the transverse or lateral conduits are parallel, but the outlet-slits 13at therein are inclined upwardly away from the middle of the conduit, toward the sluices from which the liquid is received. By inclining the slits the liquid is more evenly distributed upon the strips than would be the case'if vertical slits were used. In the latter case the liquid would be discharged in separate streams some distance apart from each other, whereas in the former arrangement the delivery is in its effect more like a continuous sheet of Y liquid, as would be the case if the water were discharged throu 'h a longitudinal slot in the side wall of the ateral conduits or were allowed to overflow the side Walls.

By the distributing system above described the distribution of liquid on the exposure-surface is made substantially uniform throu hout the tower. The quantity of water to e cooled is in most casesvarymg, and the demand on a cooling-tower is that it takes care of the entire amount of water that must be cooled irres ective of its relation to the quantity at W ch the apparatus, theoretically at least, is most efficient. In my apparatus, regardless of the` amount of water that passes through the t'ower, the liquid su plied is distributed equally to all parts of tlIiJ same, so that the operation of the tower is at all times maintained at substantially the highest efliciency of which it is capable under the given circumstances. Though I prefer to use the distributin system just described, it will be understood t at other means for distributing the liquid may be employed, if desired, without unduly sacrificing the advantages fiowing from other features of the invention.

The material which I prefer to use for the exposure or radiation surface is a Woven fabric of organic material, such as burlap or canvas. Heretofore metal fabric, as wire-Gauze or other inorganic materials, have usually been used and so far as the broad scope of my invention is concerned may also be used therein; but I have found that burlap or some other organic fabric gives much better results. I be ieve this to be due in part to the fact that it is more porous, and therefore holds a greater quuantity of liquid, causing it to flow more slowly through the. apparatus. Consequently a comparatively small apparatus using such material for the exposure-surface will expose the liquid to the air as long as a much larger apparatus in which wire-gauze is used for that purpose. The organic fabric also has innumerablefine threads or filaments projectingfroni its surface and into thein terstices of its mesh, which by capillary attraction becomes covered with liquid. The liquid is thus finely divided and its exposed surface greatly increased. The capillarity of the fabric also causes the liquid to distribute itself over the surface.

lines, is also important, as it gives a bafliing l effect, causing the air rising through the tower to be divided into a number of currents of slnuous form. A glven volume of air is thus distributed over a greater areathat is, it is made to have a larger absorption- The sinuous paths of the currents also cause all paris of the currents to come in contact with'more or less of the exposure or radiating surface on which the liquid to be cooled is distributed before they finally escape at the top of the tower. A greater proportion of the total heat-absorbing capacity of a given' volume of air is thus utilized. This feature is also capable of use to advantage in other apparatus.

It Will be noted that the exposure sheets or strips are arranged edge to edge across the frame in one direction and side by side across the frame in another direction, thereby forming rows or series in two directions across the apparatus.

As above stated, the form or construction of the specific embodiment of my invention which I have shown herein is also important, as it is simple, light, and strong and may be constructed at low cost of labor and materials. The framework and walls may be of wood or metal, and in either case common commercial shapes may be used. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not confined to the precise structure mentioned, as the latter is merely the preferred form, but

Such material deteriorates some- IOO IOS

may be embodied in other forms to suit different circumstances.

What I claim is- 1. In a cooling apparatus, the combination of a frame, a lurahty of radiation sheets or strips suspen ed vertically therein in zigzag lines in staggered relation to one another, and means for discharging liquid upon the said sheets or strips, as set forth.

2. In a`cooling apparatus, the combination of a frame, a plurality of exposure strips or sheets suspended vertically therein, arranged edge to edge in one direction across the frame and side by side in another direction across the frame, forming rows or series across the apparatus, and a plurality of spaced stringere extending across the frame and engaging alternate strips, whereby the latter are given a sinuous form, as set forth.

3. In a cooling apparatus, the combination of' a frame, an exposure-surface therein, and means for discharging liquid upon the said surface, comprising a plurality of conduits discharging upon said surface, andy one or more sluices discharging into the conduits, said sluices being adapted to maintain a substantially uniform head of liquid throughout their extent; as set forth.

4. In a cooling apparatus, the combination of a frame, an exposure-surface therein, a plurality of transverse conduits discharging liquid upon said surface, a pair o f longitudinal sluices'discharging into the conduits a't the ends thereof, a transverse trough discharging into the sluices, and means for maintaining a substantially uniform head of liquid in the sluices, as set forth. v 5. In a cooling apparatus, a distributingslui'ce of unvarving depth and varying crosssection whereby a substantially uniform head of liquid will be maintained throughout its length, as set forth.

6. In a cooling apparatus, a distributing sluice of unvarying depth, having parallel side walls, and a diagonal partition therein lhaving ports for delivering 'liquid from one division of the sluice to the other, as set forth.

7. In a cooling apparatus,the combination of a distributing-sluice of unvarying depth and varying cross-section, whereby a substantially uniform head of liquid will be maintained throughout its length, a plurality of conduits extending laterally from the 'sluice, having discharge-apertures, and a plualiases liquid from one division of the sluice to the other, a plurality of conduit's extending laten' ally from the sluice and, having apertures for the discharge of liquid, and a plurality of exposure sheets or strips depending from the conduits to receive liquid therefrom, as set forth. y

9. In a cooling apparatus, the combination f of an open supporting-frame consisting of a plurality of trusses; a su erstructure composed of vertical side mem ers, a plurality of orizontal string-pieces carried thereby, a

plurality of strino'ers carried by the stringpieces, and a wal surrounding the superstructure; a plurality of sheets or strips'of organic fabric disposed vertically on the stringere; a distributing system for discharging liquid upon the sald sheets or strips at A y their'upper ends and at substantially the same rate u on all; a casing surrounding the distributing system; and means below the superstructure for collecting the cooled liquid;v

as set forth. l

HENRY L. DOHERTY.

Witnesses: 1

R. B. SULLIVAN, EUGENE Y. SAYER. 

